The Red Book of Westmarch (Archives)

Major casting is well under way for the two-part adaptation of The Hobbit, with official signatures on the dotted line for Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Andy Serkis (Gollum), Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins), and of course Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins…

So you’re finally adapting The Hobbit. I know you already have your script approved and your storyboards laid down, but if it isn’t too late, may I humbly make a few suggestions, from one fan to another?

Tolkien movie fans were dismayed to learn this week that production on the two-part The Hobbit feature film will not begin in March 2010, as was previously announced. Producer Peter Jackson told a German film site that principal photography on the Lord of the Rings prequel will not begin until mid-2010 at the earliest.

A two-part film adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s beloved children’s novel, The Hobbit, is slated for release in December 2011 and December 2012. The films will be directed by Guillermo del Toro, with Peter Jackson acting as executive producer and co-writer.

Sauron, driven from Mirkwood, escapes to Mordor. Gollum leaves the mountains to search for his Precious. Barad-dûr is rebuilt. Aragorn meets Arwen. Balin goes to Moria. Saruman tries the palantir, and goes bad. Some people are born, some die. That’s it. Not much of a story.

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